Be Courageous Be Bold Hebrews 4:16

Let me ask you something…

Have you ever been on a road trip and suddenly find that you have no idea where you are? Your GPS has stopped working and the charge, in your cell phone has died, you have no way to communicate with anyone and you’re almost out of gas?

That would be pretty disturbing to say the least.

We’ve come to depend on our technical devices, we trust them way too much…we take it for granted that they are indestructible and totally reliable…

Texting has become the norm to communicate; after all our time is much too valuable to stop and actually call someone. Social Media is our avenue to stay-in-touch with family, friends and acquaintances. Email is our go-to-mode of operation, to make appointments, pay bills online and send a letter. Subscribing to this blog or another, keeps us up on all sorts of cooking, music, dance, artists, sales, and it goes on and on…

So to find ourselves in the middle of nowhere with no way to contact anyone, would be pretty scary…we put our trust in technological apps and devices so that we don’t have to deal with the human factor.

The thing is this…and here is the message…

I am thankful that God never set up our world to be this way. Yes, He created us with a body, soul and emotions and gave us intelligence. He also gave us a free will. He doesn’t control us, or, force us to love him or serve him…He gives us a choice.

On the other hand, there is the enemy of God. Satan. He wants to control everything and does all he can to oppress, depress, kill, steal and destroy everything and everyone God loves. Why, because he rebelled. He is judged. And he knows his time is numbered and it’s running out.

The thing is…we don’t need a GPS to find God, he knows exactly where we are. We do need the Holy Spirit to lead us to God.

We don’t need a cell phone to text God. He has given us his word, His text, which is never old or out of date. He doesn’t need technology or an app to lead, guide or direct us.

We don’t need Social Media to connect with family, friends or acquaintances. When we connect with God we are all part of the same family. We can gather in Jesus name and sing and dance and worship and pray and have dinners and parties that don’t leave you wondering who, is, who, and if your connected or not…You don’t have to friend or un-friend anyone…you can like, and love, and be Wowed, and even be sad, or, angry. With just one click you can be forgiven and share with one another, private messages and group chats and not worry about gossiping or be concerned about the trolls…when you trust God.

What I’m saying is that it is not about using, or, not using technology, because it is a wonderful thing and we would be lost without it in our lives…just as lost as being out on a long road without Jesus in our hearts.

My point here today is to tell you this…

Where is our trust? Who, and what, are we trusting?

God wants us to TRUST Him…

Trust is something most people have difficulty with…

You’ve been hurt too many times. Lies have destroyed your trust. To trust would mean you have to be vulnerable to someone and your walls are too thick and too tall and too wide to ever do that.

Without trust, our walk with God and other relationships suffer.

If you have “trust issues” and you have a DTA attitude… (Don’t trust anyone) it’s going to be difficult for you to put your trust in God or another person. Your relationships will be built at arm’s length. Suspicions and doubt will be your best friends, always looking for the catch and you’ll never be at peace with yourself or anyone. When someone says, “I love you.” You won’t believe them. You’ll be thinking, “What’s their motive?” And it will leave others feeling as if they can’t trust you either.

We can’t always trust people. They will let you down, they will hurt you, and deceive you it is the nature of man…but You Can, Trust, God…He will never leave you, never abandon you, never deceive you…What He says He means…He is always True, always faithful, He never changes, He keeps His word.

With so much negative in the world today, it is no wonder that people can’t trust…there was a time when a person’s word, was their bond. A hand shake was all it took for a business deal. Now it takes contracts and a massive amount of paperwork and still that doesn’t guarantee anything.

What is trust anyway? The dictionary says…. Trust is reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence. 2. Confident expectation of something; hope.

You can see it engraved on America’s currency… “In God we trust.” Generations ago the American people, did, trust in God. Do we still trust in Him today?

We often hear the words, “Trust me.” When we hear that now, we almost always get a twinge in our gut that says, never trust someone who says, “Trust me.”

I wonder why that is.

Trust is faith. It is built upon truth…it can be earned and it can be broken.

Trust is not deceptive. Trust is like iron. It will stand the test of time. Trust is confidence. Trust is sure, steadfast. Trust is a promise; trust says, your word is strong and does not lie.

When trust is broken; then it has no value. Your word becomes worthless.

Where is trust today?

The only sure trust is God.

Yes we all have “trust issues” but really it’s a heart issue.

God hear my cry….

Sincerity and truth are what you require; fill my mind with your wisdom. Remove my sin, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness; and though you have crushed me and broken me, I will be happy once again. Close your eyes to my sins and wipe out all my evil.

Create a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me. Do not banish me from your presence; do not take your holy spirit away from me. Give me again the joy that comes from your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach sinners your commands, and they will turn back to you.

Spare my life, O God, and save me, and I will gladly proclaim your righteousness. Help me to speak, Lord, and I will praise you. Psalm 51:6-15 Good News Translation (GNT) A Prayer for Forgiveness

~M.S. O’Neill December 14, 2017

Isaiah 26:1-4New King James Version (NKJV)

A Song of Salvation

In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:

“We have a strong city; God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks. Open the gates, That the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in. You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.

 

There in the rubble…

Broken glass, shattered rocks and debris

All in a pile of destruction, lying in front of me…

I hang my head and cry…

Remembering the prophecy…

Tears fall upon the city streets

No laughter, no one there to greet…

No priests, no sacrificial lamb

The Holy Place, only a trace

Of what once was God’s dwelling place.

The Son of God you led to die, upon the splintered pole

Not knowing then, that it was Him, who came to make you whole…

Seventy years of shedding blood

In vain you sacrificed…

Messiah came, but you did not recognize

It was He, who paid the price…

Standing now on broken ground

One, single, red rose, I see…

Lying there, reminding me, that Jesus died on Calvary…

The crushed, red, rose, like blood I see, staining his hands and feet,

Forgiving you forgiving me…

Head bowed, it is finished; it is complete…

From generation to generation, this will be the symbol of His love, sacred and sweet.

The fragrance of the red rose rising upon the wind…

Jesus mending broken hearts, and building life again!

Walking among the rubble, smiling, now I know…

Jesus is my savior, the crushed, fragrant, red rose!

~M.S. O’Neill December 13, 2017

Matthew 24:1-2 King James Version (KJV) And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

Song of Solomon 2: 1 King James Version (KJV) I am the rose of Sharon,

Cut away from the whole, is the remnant

That piece that will not be discarded, it will not rot, nor fray

It is the part that will remain, come what may…

When persecuted and mocked, in humility, the remnant will stay

Faithful, trustworthy, immovable, the remnant will show the way…

For they are the left-overs cast to the side, yet, they are chosen,

And, they pray…

They do not compromise, do not back down, tossed to the side, not meant for use…

But God loves them anyway…

In the midst of chaos and destruction… it’s the remnant that stays, strong

Even when the best of men, fall, and do what’s wrong

The remnant brings the God-song…

We will not bow or bend our knees to Satan’s fowl strategies

Our Father God is who we serve, we will guard the truth as He preserves, our souls. We are heaven bound, for heaven, is, our blessed goal…pointing souls to Calvary…

Wrought by blood and water, which poured from the Lord’s body, hung upon a tree, there, He restored our victory…

Only a remnant left from the veil, torn by God, to sever Hell…

They remain in the earth His story to tell…

We may not be popular, or, invited to Society’s ball, but by God’s grace we have heeded the call…

We are sown to the robe of Christ…A New Creation, a Holy Nation, a Royal Priesthood; we stand side-by-side, where angels trod…

We are the remnant of God!!!

~M.S. O’NEILL December 12, 2017

But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. Romans 11:4-5 KJV

Being a woman of some years, I’ve learned a few lessons that I think may be helpful to you.

Here’s one I’d like to share. I received a miracle yesterday at my place of worship, “Church.” Let me just say this first. Times certainly are different, from when I was growing up, so my perspective will be a little different from “society’s views” in today’s world.

Saying that, let me begin.

I know what it is to grow up in a broken, dysfunctional home and from the time I was two-and-a-half years old, to age nine I didn’t know the security or love of a ‘daddy.’ My parents divorced and my dad moved away. I’m not condemning my parents. I’ve dealt with all that many years ago and I love them dearly, they did the best they could in what they knew.

When I was nine, my mom remarried and for 42 years I called my step-dad, ‘Dad.’ He did the best he could and tried hard to give us a good life. Functional somewhat…secure…and we had structure. He took on a lot, taking a wife and her three children, instant family. It wasn’t easy and for that I applaud him and I love him.

Without going through all the good, the bad and the ugly of life, let me just say, everyone, has “stuff” they have to deal with, but for the most part I think I’ve dealt with most of the junk I experienced but it has taken the help of God and lots of prayer. I’ve forgiven, and let go of lots and lots of heartache. But yesterday as I sat and listened to my pastor bring a message that was straight from God’s lips to our hearts…I wept…it was all I could do, not to totally break down…but my weeping was for the realization that I have a daddy…someone who loves me in spite of all my mess-up’s…who has seen me struggle and make so many wrong decisions and caused much disappointment but He loves me anyway and forgives me and holds none of it against me and he doesn’t even remember it…I felt like I could never have my mom, or, my dad’s approval but yesterday through my Pastor, God said, “I am proud of you…” Oh how I cried…thinking about how for years the enemy’s voice in my head was so loud I could barely hear God’s voice…but yesterday Pastor Scott brought a message that has changed my life…because of God speaking through him…I could hear my Daddy God saying…loud and clear… “I am not angry with you.” Since my mom’s death, I haven’t had the assurance of knowing she was not angry with me, until yesterday. I believe that one reason I was so sick recently, is because I listened and kept believing the enemy’s lies…but yesterday healing began…God said, “I believe in you…I know you fully and I still chose you and called you.” I’ve tried to live up to what I thought would make my mom proud. Even though I have a personal relationship with the LORD, part of me, even at this age, I constantly longed for her approval. “See Mom, I’m living my life for God. I’m going to Church, I’m writing for God, I’m on the prayer team, I study God’s word and I’m witnessing for Jesus. Aren’t you proud of me, Mom?” I wanted to please God, but I was miserable and hurting. I mean don’t get me wrong I love the Lord with all my heart and serving him is want I long to do. But I couldn’t find His Joy in my heart because without really knowing it, I was trying to please my mom.

Then God said, through Pastor Scott, “Thank you for serving me…”

He said, “You are more valuable to me than your ministry…Don’t compare yourself to others because I don’t. Don’t give up on yourself; I haven’t given up on you.”

He said, “I don’t see you like you see yourself. You don’t feel about yourself what I feel about you. I have so much more for you than you are currently experiencing. You are my child not my slave.”

I think sometimes in ministry people begin to just go through the motions of serving and it begins to feel like work and the love and blessing of doing for God becomes a burden and a chore. We listen to the enemy’s voice and it becomes louder than God’s voice.

God said, “Enjoy my love and acceptance. Don’t try to earn what you already have. I will help you carry those burdens if you will give them to me. I have your future in my hands so enjoy your present.”

But as I sat there listening to God say these things all I could think about was how I’ve messed up in life, hurt people, not meaning too but the enemy’s words were loud and accuse me every single day. Words of death and destruction, because that is what he does. The more I listened to the enemy, the sicker I became…for months now the Holy Spirit has been saying to me, “Read my word.” Each time I would ask God to help me he’d say, “Read my word.” Not demanding, but gently he’d say, “Read my word.” And then yesterday through a message Pastor Scott gave because of a time in his life, God spoke these things to him and he said it was for us too…God said, “You are special to me…”

I was set free…free from the past…free from wanting my mom’s approval…free from the grips of Satan’s lies…and accusations…

Pastor Scott said, “Make God’s voice the loudest voice in your head…”

I understood then why God had been telling me to read his word…His word dispels the darkness, it sets those in bondage free, it heals diseases and gives the body, mind and soul new life…when we are reading God’s word it shuts the mouths of all other voices and fills us with the truth and not lies…but we have to listen…Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the WORD OF GOD!!

If you are hurting and afraid, if you are wondering in a desert and doubts and confusion and sickness and worry has you bound up in knots and shackles…Read and hear what God, your daddy is saying to you today.

Read:

Ephesians 3:18

Revelation 19:7-9/2 Timothy 4:7

Luke 15:2 Corinthians 5:19

Philippians 1:6

Ephesians 1:4

Revelation 19:6-8 and Revelation 22:12

Luke 15

I Corinthians 12

Romans 8:38/Philippians 1:6

Ephesians 5:27/Colossians 1:22/I Samuel 16:7

Ephesians 3:20/Galatians 5:22/Romans 8:11

John 12

Matthew 11:28/Matthew 28:20

Matthew 6:25-34/Romans 12:1-2

Luke 12:7/Psalm 139:13-18

I LOVE YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE, YOU ARE MY CHILD, YOU MAKE ME HAPPY, AND YOU ARE SPECIAL TO ME! 

LOVE,

YOUR DADDY GOD!!! 

John 3:16 

~M.S. O’Neill December 11, 2017

Listen to the message here.

 

 

 

Lord, today I awake, and open my mouth in praise

To You O Lord my Savior, My Rock, Amazed…

That you Adonai, High Priest come to dwell

In a temple not made with brick and stones and nails…

But a house of flesh you fashioned me where your love never fails…

Day and night I fast and pray, hear my heart, do not delay…

To answer when I call…

Cry unto me and I will answer thee…your prayers are not in vain…

Jesus, I intercede for all the earth, in your precious, holy, name…

A house of prayer I long to be, where I meet with you and your face I see…

With tears and compassion I proclaim…lives will forever be transformed, changed…

A house of prayer where holy talks are heard as we gather there and walk, in the garden of the house, you’ve ordained to be a house of prayer…

I bring…

My pleas, my heart before you where…

I offer my petitions into your care…

And wait to hear you say…

You are a house of prayer…

–Marla Shaw O’Neill May 28, 2017

Even those I will bring to My holy mountain And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.” Isaiah 56:7 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 

Has this house, which is called by My name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Behold, I, even I, have seen it,” declares the Lord. Jeremiah 7:11New American Standard Bible (NASB)

And He *said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.” Matthew 21:13New American Standard Bible (NASB) 

And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den.”  Mark 11:17New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Standing at the Church door is a woman I highly respect

A conversation we both had of how God does not neglect

He takes the time to love…

People running here and there but not going anywhere

Yet, have no time, to take some time, to share or show they care…

Time is love. The woman said; now let me tell you why…

God wants to use people to spread His word and he tells them what to say…

But they’re too busy in their lives to give His word away…

Time is love. I heard the woman say…

People will give gifts, and write notes, they will barter many things just to save time…

Time cannot be saved. It cannot be restored. Once time is spent it is gone. Time is very valuable; so if you give your precious time to others along the way…

The time you tried to save…will come back to you in love…because you gave it away!

In trying to hoard time do you have any left over?

Time is a continuous circle there is never enough…

Round and round it spins

Once you spend it, it’s gone, unseen like the wind…

But if you use it to love…love wins…

There’s always plenty of love to give and give again…

Time is love. I heard the woman say…

Love is for always, it will never end.

Time is love, simply begin!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 6, 2017

Inspired by Barbara Baugh

Ecclesiastes 3 The Message (MSG) There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth:

You are the Architect

Builder of heaven and earth

You knew before birth

The nails and wood they’d use…

Yet many would refuse…

The corner-stone and you’d die.

…Raised back to life

You are the Musician

Playing music on lyre and harp

Causing demons to depart,

Filling each heart

With words; the song of life you bring

You are the Poet

With rhythm and rhyme

Transforming time

Eternity is yours and now is mine…

You are the Great Physician

Healing every pain, freedom from this domain

Your blood perpetually stains…souls, faithful to your name…

You are the Astronomer

Of planets and stars, galaxies near and far

No one can explain the distance of your grace, nor the love that is traced, in the starlit night where only time and space collide…

You are Father, Son and Holy Ghost

You are Alpha and Omega…

You are Spirit like the wind

Felt upon each branch, a lineage without end…

Infinite and Holy

You are…my friend!

Jesus, you are all of these and more…

~M.S. O’Neill December 5, 2017

Matthew 16:13-20 King James Version (KJV) When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

 

In the shadow of your wings I find my rest…

Solitude and serenity, quiet and contentment…

I am blessed…

No evil may come near my dwelling place

As I gaze upon your gentle face…

Rejoicing, knowing I’m in your tender embrace…

Abiding under the shadow of your wings…

Your voice I hear as you begin to sing

A lullaby sung just for me…

The voice of peace, like none I’ve ever heard…You see

 

Jesus sings a lullaby:

Hush-a-bye…child of mine, let me sing my lullaby…do not fear or be afraid

I’m watching you both night and day

I have called you many times…do not walk away this time…

Hush-a-bye…child of mine, let me sing my lullaby…

Close your eyes and dream of me…you’re not alone just look at me…

Hush-a-bye…child of mine, I created you to be…

Free…..

 

A woman simply touched your garment and was healed

A blind man saw men as trees and was thrilled…as his eyes received their sight…

His soul took flight, for once blind; now he sees…

A fever gone from a single touch…

Oh how you love us, you love us so much!

For when the shadow is made known

And I have fully grown into the image of the son…

I’ll stand in the light of His marvelous grace

Where shadow will flee away…

I’ll be known, as I am known, and see Jesus, face to face!

~Marla Shaw O’Neill December 4, 2017

Psalm 91:1-2 King James Version (KJV) He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

The lullaby song!

We are like dangling notes touched by the wind

Created for music so let it begin…

Some are metal and some are glass

Some are sea shells; each with a task…

Spinning around suspended in the air

The tune of life is displayed as we share…

While helping each other, our burdens we bear

Tied together in cosmic light

Whispers of music while we dance in the night…

Unaware it’s the wind that gives us flight…

Awakened by the one who holds the strings

We begin to hear the most beautiful things…

Tones of highs and tones of lows

The music of life not everyone knows…

As the wind surrounds us and gently blows…

Life’s a journey; we all must go…

Wind chimes tinkling a melodious sound

Once lost, now we are found…

It takes one, touching one, to cause the music to be heard

Listen, there’s music in every word.

~M.S. O’Neill November 30, 2017

Psalms 149:3 “Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.” King James Version (KJV)

I wrote this in 2010

This is one of the most magical and joyous times of the year with colored lights on rooftops and in windows…red poinsettias grace many a yard, church and home. Yes Santa and his reindeer, snowmen and candy canes, and beautiful Christmas trees sit in the open to set the stage that the Christmas season is here.

Figurines of Shepherd’s stand in awe and wonder as Mary and Joseph gaze upon the babe displayed in a humble manger. Read Isaiah 7 and 8. Isaiah 11. Read II Chronicles 28. Luke 1

There has been much discussion on the birthday of Jesus (Yeshua) our Messiah and the history regarding the origin of this festive time.

There was a time in my life that I, because of religious beliefs did not celebrate “Christmas” for 8 years as a matter of fact. I wanted to please my Father God, and I thought that by not participating in the holidays God would be very pleased with me. Research was done I learned that it originated from pagan practices and how it became indoctrinated into the lives of the follower’s of Christ. That, “No lie is of the truth.” My family was torn and confused. It was one of the saddest times in my life. I’m speaking for me I can’t speak for you; you will have to search out your own salvation with fear and trembling. But after that time period something happened to me. I realized that God is a God of love and mercy. God said he was sick of their holy days and feast days. Because the people served him with their lips but their hearts were far from him. He loved us so much that He GAVE Jesus his only son. The point was that He God came down to earth in the flesh to live and teach us who He is and to show us His heart! If anything I think it backfired on the evil one who wanted to deceive God’s people by combining everything, it brought us all together. Even though Christmas is commercialized and all have but forgotten the birth of Jesus, it is still a wonderful time of year to show his love to those less fortunate than we are. It is also a great time to teach our children and grandchildren about giving. When you have the love of God in your heart it is not burdensome it is truly a pleasure and a joy to help others.

I choose to see the good, I choose to have his love shine forth in my heart and I choose to let things go that I cannot do anything about. Jesus is sung about, movies of hope and miracles happen more, people attend church that normally would not, there’s an attitude of giving in the air and it’s just such a beautiful time to be living. Families get together and eat together and give gifts as a way of showing they love each other. Jesus is lifted up and in the back of everyone’s mind whether sinner or saint they know, because it has been spread throughout the centuries that “Jesus is the reason for the season.” God’s people don’t see “pagans” or what they stand for, they see Jesus! So really I want to say thank you to our ancestors for bringing Jesus into our hearts and homes at this very special holiday time.

I believe that for whatever reason I had to experience that lesson so that I would appreciate my family and truly learn what it is to love as God loves.

I know, what you’re thinking and what you will say but… God gave us his word as an instruction book to guide us but not to brow beat us. People have been arguing about religion and God-fearing faith since the beginning of time.

God is a loving, kind and forgiving parent…He, as a parent wants his children to be happy and to use wisdom. He tells us how to eat right and how to live a healthy life style and if we live by his word and obey his word we will do well. If not he also gives us a spanking when needed. Why? Because he loves us and because he said so! He, is God!

Some of you will reject what I am saying and I understand. It’s OK because you are going through your life lessons as well. I know without a doubt in my heart and mind that I am loved with an everlasting love it is indescribable. On this journey I will have more lessons to learn as well. Just be open to God’s Holy Spirit and let him guide you in all truth. Do not be so quick to judge others or to be condemning. If you wish to reprove do so lovingly and with great care knowing that your heavenly Father has been the same way with you. And please be the first to forgive when wronged. Don’t hold grudges. There is total healing when you forgive others who trespass against you. Yes it hurts, but it will hurt so much more if you do not.

And one more thing on this subject, be kind to your parents, honor them, cherish them God says you’ll live a long life if you do that. You may have heard this before but parents don’t come with an instruction book or a how to manual…so be patient with them and take good care of them. You will be right where they are someday if you live long enough.

I’m only saying all this to you because it was on my heart. You may not agree with me but being a Child of the Most High you must love me.

YHWH bless you and give you grace and peace.

May you have a very blessed and joyous Christmas filled with Hope and Faith. And if you choose not to celebrate that is alright too! For those of you who are alone at this time of year. Go out and make some new friends get together and celebrate! We all need each other!!!

To all my other friends who have a different belief, may your Holidays be filled with JOY, PEACE, LOVE and HAPPINESS! Good journey!

Love you all!

I’d like to add something else…at this time of year there are many who are hurting, hungry and depressed, give a smile, a blanket, a toy or even a meal to someone less fortunate than you are this year. A hug, a cup of coffee an encouraging word, let the love of God shine through you and see how wonderful it feels to bless someone!

Still learning.